Thief stole from Formby charity shop

A THIEF stole from a Formby charity shop as volunteers and shoppers celebrated its 20 years of fundraising.

Help The Aged in Brows Lane invited the public to in join in its birthday celebrations.

But while the backs of volunteers and staff were turned a thief stole two Karen Millen garments.

The goods had been donated by a member of the public, along with other special items and were worth around £50 each.

Lynda Lynch, manager, said: “I was really angry. There are 25 volunteers and they all give their time for free. We work really hard. Then you get people who just come in and do this. It’s just galling.”

It happened last Tuesday, as the shop was decked with balloons and staff were giving out free refreshments as part of the celebration.

One of the stolen bustieres was a pink beaded corset with beading and the other was gold coloured.

Isobel Jarvis, a volunteer at the shop, said: “I’ve volunteered there for eight years. We work really hard and for someone to do that. I felt sick to my stomach.

“We are striving so hard to get something extra for the elderly and someone does that.

“That just put a dampener on it.”

But staff have said the shop is targeted by shoplifters every week and not all of the suspects are from outside the area.

They even urge people not to leave donated goods in bags outside the shop but to bring them in because people steal from them.

A few years ago, staff caught two people in a 4x4 stealing items from a bin at the back of the shop.

Some of the volunteers have been there since it opened and the incident left them shocked.

Lynda, who has been there 15 years, added: “We were annoyed, gutted and upset as it was on that day. It just leaves a nasty taste in your mouth.”